| 1: Databases available in the Cochrane Library,* with examples of content relevant for general practitioners
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews contains reviews of the effects of healthcare, also known as Cochrane reviews. These are useful for healthcare providers and consumers. Examples of reviews relevant to patient management in general practice include:
- Glasziou PP, Hayem M, Del Mar CB. Antibiotic versus placebo for acute otitis media in children.
- Mulrow C, Lau J, Cornell J, Brand M. Antihypertensive drug therapy in the elderly.
- Silagy C, Mant D, Fowler G, Lancaster T. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation.
- Sirinavin S, Garner P. Antibiotics in salmonella gut infections.
Examples of reviews relevant to quality assurance and continuing education in general practice:
- Thomson MA, Oxman AD, Davis DA, et al. Audit and feedback to improve health professional practice and health care outcomes (Parts I and II).
- Freemantle N, Harvey EL, Wolf F, et al. Printed educational materials to improve the behaviour of health care professionals and patient outcomes.
The Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness contains structured abstracts of systematic reviews published elsewhere. These are also useful for healthcare providers and consumers. Examples of abstracts of interest to general practitioners include:
- Buntinx F, Brouwers M. Relation between sampling device and detection of abnormality in cervical smears: a meta-analysis of randomised and quasi-randomised studies. BMJ 1996; 313: 1285-1290.
- Davis DA, Thomson MA, Oxman AD, Haynes RB. Changing physician performance: a systematic review of the effectiveness of continuing medical education strategies. JAMA 1995; 274: 700-705.
- Lancaster T, Silagy C, Gray S. Primary care management of acute herpes zoster: systematic review of evidence from randomized controlled trials. Br J Gen Pract 1995; 45: 39-45.
- Sullivan F, Mitchell E. Has general practitioner computing made a difference to patient care? General Practice 1995; 311: 848-852.
The Cochrane Review Methodology Database is a bibliographic database of methodological articles pertinent to systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register is a bibliographic database of controlled trials identified by the Cochrane Collaboration from journals, conference proceedings and other sources. It is most useful for those conducting systematic reviews.
*http://som.flinders.edu.au/fusa/cochrane/
©MJA 1998
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